a device by which a work presents material that occurred prior to the opening scene of the work. Various methods may be used, among them recollections of characters, narration by characters, dream sequences, and reveries.

foreshadowing

events that hint at the future

point of view

the perspective from which the author presents a story

omniscient

3rd person narration in which the narrator is capable of knowing, seeing, and telling all

limited omniscient

3rd person narration in which the narrator knows usually only 1 character

first person

told by character in story

major

protagonist is telling the story

minor

narrator is 1st person, but not a main character but is close companion of main character

objective

3rd person we the reader are unaware of the thoughts and feelings of characters in the work

symbolism

the use of 1 object to represent or suggest another.
Or in literature: the extensive use of symbols

theme

in poetry, fiction, or drama it is the abstract concept that is made concrete through representation in person, action, and image. No proper theme is simply a subject or an activity

irony

reality different from appearence

situational irony

event that contradicts thhe expectations of characters, reader, or audience

dramatic irony

words or acts of a character that may carry a meaning unperceived by the character but understood by the audience

verbal irony

in which the actual intent is expressed in words that carry the opposite meaning

foil

a character who is presented as a contrast to a 2nd character so as to point or to show advantage some sort of aspect of the 2nd character

allusion

an implied or indirect reference to a person, event, thing, or text

motif

recurring thematic element, especially dominent or central

paradox

an apparently self-contradictory statement where the underlying meaning of which is revealed only through careful scrutiny. It provokes free though, arrests attention. EX) all animals are created equal, some animals are more equal than others

antithesis

rhetorical device in which irreconcilable opposites are placed in sharp juxaposition and sustained tension EX) they promised freedom and provided slavery EX) fair is foul, foul is fair

epiphany

a realization, manifestation of the meaning of something

epigraph

quotation set at the beginning of work or division of work to suggest its theme

oxymoron

two words juxaposed with opposite meaning EX) jumbo shrimp

figurative language

a form of expression used to convey meaning, or heightened effect. This is done by comparing or identifying one thing to another. Reader knows one of the other things

hyperbole

exaggeration for the sake of emphasis

litotes

a form of understatement in which a thing is affirmed by stating the negative of its opposite